The handover checklist
Meet in a public place
Choose daylight and a busy spot. Do not pay in advance, and do not pay until every check below has passed.
Match the details
Open Settings, then General, then About. The model name and serial number should match the box or receipt. The IMEI is shown there too, or dial *#06#.
Make the seller sign out and erase it
Ask them to sign out of their Apple ID in Settings, then choose General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings. Do this in front of you.
Watch the restart
The phone should reach the Hello setup screen without asking for anyone’s Apple ID or password. If it asks for the previous owner’s account, it is Activation Locked. Do not buy it.
Test everything
Check the touch screen, both cameras, speaker, microphone, charging port, buttons and Face ID or Touch ID. Look at Battery Health in Settings, Battery.
Test it with a SIM
Put your own SIM in, make a call and check mobile data. A phone locked to another network will refuse your SIM.
Keep your proof
Write down the seller’s name and number, and keep the receipt or messages, plus the serial number and IMEI.
Red flags
- The price is far below what the same model normally costs
- The seller will not erase the phone in front of you
- The seller will not meet in person, or wants payment first
- The box, receipt and phone show different details
- You are told you will get a code or password “later”